Diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancy. 2005

Anne-Marie Lozeau, and Beth Potter
Department of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School-Madison, USA. alozeau@wisc.edu

Ectopic pregnancy is a high-risk condition that occurs in 1.9 percent of reported pregnancies. The condition is the leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the first trimester. If a woman of reproductive age presents with abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, syncope, or hypotension, the physician should perform a pregnancy test. If the patient is pregnant, the physician should perform a work-up to detect possible ectopic or ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Prompt ultrasound evaluation is key in diagnosing ectopic pregnancy. Equivocal ultrasound results should be combined with quantitative beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin levels. If a patient has a beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin level of 1,500 mIU per mL or greater, but the transvaginal ultrasonography does not show an intrauterine gestational sac, ectopic pregnancy should be suspected. Diagnostic uterine curettage may be appropriate in patients who are hemodynamically stable and whose beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin levels are not increasing as expected. Appropriate treatment for patients with nonruptured ectopic pregnancy may include expectant management, medical management with methotrexate, or surgery. Expectant management is appropriate only when beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin levels are low and declining. Initial levels determine the success of medical treatment. Surgical treatment is appropriate if ruptured ectopic pregnancy is suspected and if the patient is hemodynamically unstable.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008423 Maternal Age The age of the mother in PREGNANCY. Age, Maternal,Ages, Maternal,Maternal Ages
D008727 Methotrexate An antineoplastic antimetabolite with immunosuppressant properties. It is an inhibitor of TETRAHYDROFOLATE DEHYDROGENASE and prevents the formation of tetrahydrofolate, necessary for synthesis of thymidylate, an essential component of DNA. Amethopterin,Methotrexate Hydrate,Methotrexate Sodium,Methotrexate, (D)-Isomer,Methotrexate, (DL)-Isomer,Methotrexate, Dicesium Salt,Methotrexate, Disodium Salt,Methotrexate, Sodium Salt,Mexate,Dicesium Salt Methotrexate,Hydrate, Methotrexate,Sodium, Methotrexate
D010808 Physical Examination Systematic and thorough inspection of the patient for physical signs of disease or abnormality. Physical Exam,Examination, Physical,Physical Examinations and Diagnoses,Exam, Physical,Examinations, Physical,Exams, Physical,Physical Examinations,Physical Exams
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011256 Pregnancy Outcome Results of conception and ensuing pregnancy, including LIVE BIRTH; STILLBIRTH; or SPONTANEOUS ABORTION. The outcome may follow natural or artificial insemination or any of the various ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNIQUES, such as EMBRYO TRANSFER or FERTILIZATION IN VITRO. Outcome, Pregnancy,Outcomes, Pregnancy,Pregnancy Outcomes
D011258 Pregnancy Tests Tests to determine whether or not an individual is pregnant. Pregnancy Test,Test, Pregnancy,Tests, Pregnancy
D011271 Pregnancy, Ectopic A potentially life-threatening condition in which EMBRYO IMPLANTATION occurs outside the cavity of the UTERUS. Most ectopic pregnancies (>96%) occur in the FALLOPIAN TUBES, known as TUBAL PREGNANCY. They can be in other locations, such as UTERINE CERVIX; OVARY; and abdominal cavity (PREGNANCY, ABDOMINAL). Ectopic Pregnancy,Pregnancy, Extrauterine,Ectopic Pregnancies,Extrauterine Pregnancies,Extrauterine Pregnancy,Pregnancies, Ectopic,Pregnancies, Extrauterine
D001774 Blood Chemical Analysis An examination of chemicals in the blood. Analysis, Blood Chemical,Chemical Analysis, Blood,Analyses, Blood Chemical,Blood Chemical Analyses,Chemical Analyses, Blood
D004305 Dose-Response Relationship, Drug The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug. Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D005260 Female Females

Related Publications

Anne-Marie Lozeau, and Beth Potter
January 2008, Women's health (London, England),
Anne-Marie Lozeau, and Beth Potter
June 1982, Delaware medical journal,
Anne-Marie Lozeau, and Beth Potter
May 2020, American family physician,
Anne-Marie Lozeau, and Beth Potter
October 1951, American journal of surgery,
Anne-Marie Lozeau, and Beth Potter
June 2011, BMJ (Clinical research ed.),
Anne-Marie Lozeau, and Beth Potter
October 2011, The journal of family planning and reproductive health care,
Anne-Marie Lozeau, and Beth Potter
October 1986, The Alabama journal of medical sciences,
Anne-Marie Lozeau, and Beth Potter
January 1984, Duodecim; laaketieteellinen aikakauskirja,
Anne-Marie Lozeau, and Beth Potter
July 2013, Women's health (London, England),
Anne-Marie Lozeau, and Beth Potter
October 1971, Tropical doctor,
Copied contents to your clipboard!